Trucker rally reportedly planned for D.C. Friday

\'\'For the first time, drivers will be able to put an economic value on carpooling.\'\' (WTOP File)

WASHINGTON – Drivers in the D.C. metropolitan area could be in for a chaotic commute during the Friday morning rush hour this week.

Media reports have stated that truckers have promised to clog the Inner Loop of the Capital Beltway in a protest affiliated with “Truckers Ride for the Constitution,” although conflicting statements about the purpose of the rally have since surfaced.

A Facebook page for the umbrella trucker group had more than 63,000 followers as of Tuesday afternoon. It reads in part, “The American people are sick and tired of the corruption that is destroying America! We therefore declare a GENERAL STRIKE on the weekend of October 11-13, 2013!”

Earl Conlon, who U.S. News & World Report identified as a coordinator of truckers coming to the D.C. area, told the site that scores of semi-trucks would cause gridlock on the Beltway if police tried to interfere.

“If cops decide to give us a hard time, we’re going to lock the brakes up, we’re going to stop right there, we’re going to be a three-lane roadblock,” Conlon said.

However, a posting on the “Truckers” Facebook page said Conlon is not a spokesman and that U.S. News has been called on to retract the story because the campaign does not wish to be tied to “anything that is unlawful.”

Peter Santilli, an online radio host who is acting as a spokesman for the umbrella group and is holding a rally in California, told U.S. News it would not be safe for truckers to stop and jam the Beltway.

But Conlon reportedly responded in part by saying, “You’re having your rally, I’m having mine.”

This story has been updated to reflect that there is conflicting information about the truckers’ plans.